Sparking igniter for explosive-engines.



No. 708,042. Patented Sept. 2, I902.

J. B. HICKS; v

SPARKING IGNITER FOR EXBLOSIVE ENGINES.

(Application filed Nov. 9, 1901.)

(No man.)

UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.-

JOHN B. HICKS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SPARKING IGNITER FOR EXPLOSIVE-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,042, dated September 2, 1902. Application filed November 9,1901. Serial No. 81,699. (No model-l T0 on whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN B. HIoKs,a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sparking Igniters for Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a full,

the three arms J, g and N, showing the different positions they will assume. Fig. 5 is an approximately horizontal section through the two electrodes, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the adjustment at the lower end of the connecting-rod R.

A casing A is suitably placed with respect to the engine-cylinder being preferably attached to the side thereof. In this casing is the explosion-chamber B, which communicates with the cylinder C through the open port a. The explosive mixture enters this chamber through the valve-controlled port b, the valve H of which is held closed by a spring h, surrounding thevalve-stem h. As shown, the valve opens inward and is intended to be opened by the suction of the pistonhead in its forward travel in the cylinder. On the return stroke the spring closes the valve, and the internal pressure in the cylinder assists in keeping it closed. The exhaust-portb from this chamber is also closed by an inwardly-moving valve K, which is normally held closed partly by the spring is, which surrounds the projecting end of the valve-stem it and is compressed between a washer k thereon and a part of the casing A, and partly by the internal pressure.

D represents a shaft which is driven constantly by suitable connections with the engine-shaft. -On it is a cam 01, which engages with a friction-roller e, mounted on the end of a rocking arm e. An arm 6 is rigidly connected with the arm 8, and it engages beneath the stem 7c of the exhaust-valve K. This cam cl is so placed upon its shaft that it will through the mechanism described open the exhaust-valve at the proper moment and permit the escape of the exploded gases from the chamber B.

Of course the engine with respect to the parts above described may be varied at will, these parts being shown simply as illustrative and being selected in the form shown because such form is admirably suited for use with my igniting mechanism, now to be described.

In the explosion-chamber are two contactpoints g and M, which are connected in and form the terminals of a spark-producing electric circuit. They are preferably made of platinum, and the point M is fixed to a metallic rod m, which passes through and is insulated from the casing A. The contactpoint 9 is fixed to an arm g, which is secured to a rock-shaft G. This rock-shaft is mounted in and extends out through the wall of said casing A. The poles of the electrical generator are suitably connected with the rod on. and the rock-shaft G. The connection with the rock-shaft may be through the wall of the casing A. When bythe movement of the rock-shaft G the two contact-points g and M are brought into contact, thecircuit is completed, and when they are suddenly separated the circuit is broken and a spark jumps from one point or electrode to the other, this spark being the means for igniting explosive mixtures in the explosion-chamber.

It is desirable that the movable electrode shall not be obliged to move far when its movement is toward the other electrode, and it is likewise desirable that when the electrodes separate the separation shall be rapid and far. To produce these results is the object. of the following construction: An arm 9 is secured to the rock-shaft G outside of the explosion-chamber, another arm J is loosely mounted on said rock-shaft above the arm 9 and a third arm N is pivoted to a fixed support and lies below the arm 9 A coiled spring T is connected with the two outer arms N and J and draws them toward each other and against the intermediate arm 9 The surfaces of these three arms,which under normal conditions are in contact with each other, are flat, and the outer end of the arm J normally rests upon the end of a trip-fingerp, which is pivoted to a lever P. This lever is operated periodically by a connecting-rod R, to the upper end of which it is pivoted, the lower end of this rod being connected with an eccentric-strap 0, which embraces an eccentric d on the shaft D. A nut T, which screws onto the connecting-rod R and lies between two arms 1* on the eccentric-strap, is the means shown for connecting said rod with the eccentric-strap, and this connection permits an adjustment of the length of the rod for the purpose of exactly timing the making of the ignition -spark. Under normal conditions these three weighted arms occupy the positions indicated in Fig. 1, being so held by the spring T, at which time the two contactpoints or electrodes in the explosion-chamber are out of contact, but as close together as desired. When the trip-lever P is operated to bring these contact-points M and 9 together, it lifts the arm J, which through the spring T lifts the arm N, and this in turn lifts the intermediate arm g which is attached to the rock-shaft. The electrode 9 is thereby brought into contact with the otherelectrode M, wherefore further movement of the arm 9 is impossible. The upper arm J continues its upward movement, thereby putting spring '1 under greater tension, until the trip-fingerp slips from under it. Then the spring T draws the arm J quickly and vigorously downward, and said arm striking the arm g knocks it downward, the result being the rapid movement of the rock-shaft G in the direction which carries the contactpoint g away from the point M. The point g moves away from point M much farther than it is when at rest, as shown, and the result is a long spark. The spring T now acts to draw these three arms together, which arms because of their flat engaging surfaces come to rest in the position shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 shows the positions of the three arms when the arm J is at its highest point and the two electrodes are in contact, while Fig. 4 shows the arms at the other extreme of their movement, when the electrode 9 is farthest from electrode M.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In an igniter for gas-engines and the like, the combination of a fixed and a movable electrode, a rock-shaft, and an arm secured thereto carrying the movable electrode in a position adapting it to be moved into contact with the fixed electrode, with an operating-arm secured to said rock-shaft, and two independently-pivoted arms engaging with opposite sides of said operating-arm, a spring connected with the two outer arms and acting to draw them toward each other, and a movable tripping device engaging with one of said outer arms and adapted to move it upward and then release it to the action of said spring, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In an igniter for gas-engines and the like, the combination of a fixed and a movable electrode, a rock-shaft, and an arm secured thereto carrying the movable electrode in a position adapting it to be moved into contact with the fixed electrode, with an operating-arm secured to said rock-shaft, two independently-pivoted arms engaging with opposite sides of said operatingarm, said three arms having flat contacting surfaces, a spring connected with the two outer arms and acting to draw them toward each other, and a movable tripping device engaging with one of said outer arms and adapted to move it upward and then release it to the action of said spring, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In an igniter for gas-engines and the like, the combination of a fixed and a movable electrode, a rock-shaft, and an arm secured thereto carrying the movable electrode in a position adapting it to be moved into contact with the fixed electrode, with an operating-arm secured to said rock-shaft, two independently-pivoted arms engaging with opposite sides of said operating-arm, a spring connected with the two outer arms and acting to draw them toward each other, a rocking lever pivoted to a fixed support, a tripping-finger pivoted to said lever and engaging with one of said spring-connected arms, 1 0 a constantly-driven shaft, an eccentric connected thereto, a connecting-rod transmitting motion from said eccentric to said rocking lever, and means for lengthening and shortening said connecting-rod, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4:. In an igniter for gas-engines and the like, the combination of a fixed and a movable electrode, a rock-shaft, and an arm secured thereto carrying the movable electrode no in a position adapting it to be moved into contact with the fixed electrode, with an operating-arm, an arm loosely pivoted on the same'rock-shaft and lying above and in contact with said operating-arm, an arm pivoted on a different axis and lying below and in contact with said operating-arm, acontractile coil-spring connected with the two outer arms and acting to draw them toward each other and into contact with the intermediate 12o operating-arm, and a tripping device for actuating the upper one of said arms, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. HICKS.

Witnesses:

ROBERT PARKER, EDWARD LOBB. 

